Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects the way your body uses glucose (sugar) from food for energy. While lifestyle factors such as diet, exercise, and weight are important factors in the development of diabetes, genetics can also play a role. But is diabetes really hereditary, and how can you know if you’re at risk?
The Role of Genetics in Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes, which accounts for only about 5% of all diabetes cases, is an autoimmune disease that often develops in childhood or adolescence. In type 1 diabetes, the body’s immune system attacks and destroys the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. While the exact cause of type 1 diabetes is not known, it’s thought to be caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors.
Type 2 diabetes, on the other hand, is the most common form of diabetes, accounting for about 90% of all diabetes cases. In type 2 diabetes, the body becomes resistant to insulin or doesn’t produce enough insulin to maintain normal blood sugar levels. While lifestyle factors such as diet, exercise, and weight are the main contributors to the development of type 2 diabetes, genetics can also play a role. In fact, having a family history of diabetes increases your risk of developing the disease.
How to Know If You’re Pre-Diabetic
Prediabetes is a condition where your blood sugar level is higher than normal but not high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes. Prediabetes is often a precursor to type 2 diabetes, so it’s important to know if you’re at risk. While genetics can play a role in the development of prediabetes and diabetes, lifestyle factors such as diet, exercise, and weight are also important factors.
The most reliable way to determine if you’re pre-diabetic is to have a blood test called the hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) test. This test measures your average blood sugar level over the past two to three months. An HbA1c level of 5.7% to 6.4% indicates prediabetes, while an HbA1c level of 6.5% or higher indicates diabetes.
If you’re pre-diabetic, you can take steps to prevent or delay the development of type 2 diabetes. Here are some tips:
- Eat a healthy diet: Choose foods that are low in sugar, saturated fat, and processed foods. Include plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins in your diet.
- Exercise regularly: Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise, such as brisk walking or cycling, most days of the week.
- Lose weight: If you’re overweight or obese, losing even a small amount of weight can significantly reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
- Quit smoking: Smoking increases your risk of developing type 2 diabetes, so if you smoke, quit.
- Manage stress: Chronic stress can affect your blood sugar levels, so find ways to manage stress, such as yoga, meditation, or mindfulness.
While genetics can play a role in the development of diabetes and prediabetes, lifestyle factors such as diet, exercise, and weight are also important factors. If you have a family history of diabetes, it’s important to know your risk and take steps to prevent or delay the development of the disease. By making healthy lifestyle choices, you can reduce your risk of developing diabetes and improve your overall health.
Sources:
- American Diabetes Association. Genetics of Diabetes. Retrieved from https://www.diabetes.org/diabetes/genetics-diabetes
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Prediabetes. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/basics/prediabetes.html
- American Diabetes Association. Diagnosis. Retrieved from https://www.diabetes.org/a1c/diagnosis
- Mayo Clinic. BMI Calculator. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/bmi-calculator/itt-20084938
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Insulin Resistance and Prediabetes. Retrieved from https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/overview/what-is-diabetes/prediabetes-insulin-resistance
- Harvard Health Publishing. Abdominal fat and what to do about it. Retrieved from https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/abdominal-fat-and-what-to-do-about-it
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Diabetes Prevention. Retrieved from https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/overview/preventing-type-2-diabetes